Which 2019 Honda Accord Is Right for You?

The 2019 Honda Accord is one of the best and most affordable sedans you could buy. That might lead you to wonder if stronger engines or more luxurious trappings worth the price upgrade?

Each higher trim adds something new, but some drivers may not find it worth going to the top Touring model. Here's a breakdown of each trim's standard offerings so you can determine if it's the best bang for your buck.

LX

The 2019 Honda Accord LX is the least expensive option with a starting MSRP of $23,720. Even though it’s the cheapest, it has tons of standard features that some sedans lack, such as Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, a multi-angle rearview camera, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The Accord LX is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine, which produces 192-horsepower and 192 lbs.-ft. of torque. It gets 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. That some of the best EPA fuel economy ratings on a non-hybrid vehicle.

Along with the features above, the Accord LX has plenty of other things that make a daily drive much more enjoyable. On the interior, buyers will find cruise control, 12-volt power outlets, auxiliary input jack, a seven-inch high-resolution touchscreen, Pandora compatibility, and four 160-watt speakers.

Hybrid

Though several of the 2019 Honda Accord trims also have hybrid options, the standard hybrid model (known simply by the trim name of "Hybrid") is a standalone offering. It has a starting MSRP of $25,320 with fuel economy ratings of 48 mpg/city and 48 mpg/highway.

What differentiates the Accord Hybrid trim from the Accord LX is the introduction of a one-touch power moonroof and Smart Entry with Walk Away auto lock. Additionally, there is a sport mode indicator and deceleration paddle selector indicator.

Sport

The 2019 Honda Accord Sport has the same standard 1.5L turbo 4-cylinder engine from the Accord LX trim. However, the Accord Sport is the first trim to offer the optional 2.0L turbo engine. That adds an additional $4,530 to the total price. The larger engine generates an impressive 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The transmission for the 2.0L engine is a 10-speed automatic compared to the CVT on the 1.5L engine.

Manual transmissions are also offered for both engine sizes to give this trim a sporty feel. The Accord Sport also has many small adjustments that are meant to fine-tune the car's driving performance. The entire thing sits on 19-inch wheels instead of 17 inches. Furthermore, it introduces LED daytime running lights, rather than halogen.

Some of the other features on the Sport include LED fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support. It also has dual exhaust pipes. The base 1.5L Accord Sport has a starting MSRP of $26,180.

There is no hybrid offering of the Accord Sport trim.

EX

The next available trim is the 2019 Honda Accord EX. The Accord EX comes in two models. The base offering features the same 1.5L turbo engine found on previous trims. The starting MSRP for this model is $27,620.

The second option is a hybrid version with a starting MSRP of $29,220. The Accord EX Hybrid has EPA fuel economy ratings of 48 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. That compares to the traditional gasoline model's ratings of 30 mpg/city and 33 mpg/highway.

The Accord EX focuses on comfort by including Smart Entry with Walkaway Auto Lock, push-button start, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Safety features improve with the inclusion of Honda LaneWatch, which can help a driver make decisions about when to change lanes.

This trim also has heated side mirrors, a HomeLink remote system, SiriusXM radio, and HD radio. Lastly, the Accord EX adds an extra charging port in the center console and increases the speaker number to eight. The hybrid model has all the same features as the traditional gasoline model.

EX-L

The 2019 Honda Accord EX-L may seem like just a half-step up from the Accord EX, but it includes a few features that may be essential for your morning drive. The standard offering is the 1.5L turbo engine, yet again. This starts the MSRP at $30,120.

The Accord EX-L allows drivers to upgrade to a 2.0L turbo engine for an additional $2,000. This worsens fuel economy to 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. If you wanted to go the opposite route and increase fuel economy, a hybrid model is also offered. With a starting MSRP of $31,720, it achieves 48 mpg during both city and highway driving.

The Accord EX-L trim adds some major improvements to the interior including leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats, power front seats, and a two-position memory for the driver’s seat. The upgrades don’t stop there! You also get an automatic dimming rearview mirror and an expanded audio system that includes ten 450-watt speakers with a subwoofer.

As with the previous trim, the Accord Hybrid EX-L includes the same features as the traditional gasoline EX-L model.

Touring

The 2019 Honda Accord Touring is the top-tier trim. It has a starting MSRP of $34,990, but it’s absolutely worth it. The Accord Touring adds LED headlights with auto high-beam and heated rear outboard seating to the included features from the previous trim. Drivers will also appreciate the Honda satellite-linked navigation system, which includes voice recognition and HD digital traffic.

Perhaps the most significant upgrade is the addition of the Honda Sensing suite. This introduces several smart features to help keep you and your occupants safe. The whole package includes lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, and road departure mitigation. In addition, rain-sensing windshield wipers allow drivers to focus on the road rather than the weather.

Unlike other trim levels, the hybrid model is the base engine offering. For drivers who prefer a gasoline engine, the only offering is the 2.0L turbo with 10-speed automatic transmission. That engine/transmission combo comes at an additional price that pushes the MSRP to $35,950.